Engineers appointed to transform Birmingham NIA

Midlands-based civil and structural engineers Rodgers Leask has secured one of its largest ever projects after being appointed on the £20.6 million transformation of Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena (NIA).

Midlands-based civil and structural engineers Rodgers Leask has secured one of its largest ever projects after being appointed on the £20.6 million transformation of Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena (NIA).

Work on the project which will tranform the NEC Group-owned city centre venue with full-height glazed views over the canal basin is expected to start in early 2013.

The development and refurbishment – which is being led by Broadway Malyan architects – will be delivered over four floors – arena floor, concourse and mezzanines one and two.

Paul Spencer, director of Rodgers Leask, which recently opened an office in Longbridge, said: “To be appointed civil and structural engineers for the refurbishment of the NIA is a major coup for us and we are excited at the prospect of being involved in such a high-profile project.

“The scale of the scheme puts it comfortably in the top 10 of those that we have been involved in.

“We have been working with the NEC Group on the scheme from the feasibility stages in 2010. Our role has included designing the foundations for the new structure, the steel frames, concrete floors and so on.”

He added: “We have also been liaising with agencies including British Waterways and Network Rail. Due to the NIA’s location near the canal network and above the railway it is quite an engineering challenge but the venue will be able to continue to operate throughout the duration of the project.”

The NIA is one of the busiest large-scale indoor sporting and entertainment venues in Europe. It is consistently in use between 210 and 240 days each year, attracting between 750,000 to one million visitors per year, generating £150 million in economic benefit while supporting 2,500 jobs.

Phil Mead, managing director of NEC Group Arenas, added: “We are extremely proud of our exciting plans to turn the NIA into the next generation of arena, as we position the venue as a real focal point for live entertainment.

“The investment in the NIA represents not only a significant modernisation of the site to create an exciting and iconic contemporary venue, it also offers the chance to fulfill the ambitions of the city to be the place to visit for first-class facilities and the world’s best performers.

“The plans will further strengthen the NIA’s success in attracting the world’s leading indoor sports events, live shows and concerts.”